Christine Bleakley to become new face of The X Factor as part of £4m ITV deal

Christine Bleakley, seen here with X Factor frontman Dermot O'Leary, looks set to quit her new 'Daybreak' show and sign up as new X Factor host

Christine Bleakley will take over the reins of The X Factor next year as part of her new £4million deal with ITV.

The 31-year-old presenter is being lined up by Simon Cowell and producers on the television talent show to replace host Dermot O'Leary, the Daily Mail has learned.

The former One Show co-host, who left her £90,000-a-year job with the BBC, will be reunited with Adrian Chiles on the revamped ITV breakfast programme Daybreak on September 6.

A senior television source told the Mail; 'Dermot has made it clear that he would like to move to America full time. '

'His girlfriend Dee Kopang is already working as a TV producer in Los Angeles, so he would like to try his luck in Hollywood. He is already spending the majority of his time out there with Dee, so it would make sense.'

Last night, a source close to O'Leary stressed: 'Dermot loves the X Factor and has no plans to leave. If he did get the X Factor USA job, he would travel between London and LA, just like Simon Cowell, who will appear on both versions.'

O'Leary, 37, who launched his career as a Channel 4 teen show host and also presents his own Radio 2 programme, took over his X Factor duties after Kate Thornton was axed in 2007.

He signed up for at least two series on a £1million-a-year deal.

Dermot O'Leary is reportedly keen to host both US and UK version sof the hit show

He has been outspoken about his bid to front the U.S. X Factor when it launches on Fox next year, admitting he would do anything to get on that show - 'but I think Simon will go with an American presenter. It's a bummer'.

Miss Bleakley is already a paparazzi favourite - hosting the X-factor would make her well-nigh unavoidable

There is still a chance O'Leary will front the show. X Factor judge Cheryl Cole had been tipped for a judge's role in the U.S. and Louis Walsh is also in the frame.

But it is understood that Cowell, 50, does not want the show to be too 'Brit heavy'.

Miss Bleakley's X Factor commitment may spell the end of her time on Daybreak.

An insider revealed: 'No one is sure how Christine will cope with the 3.30am wake-up call for very long. '

'Everyone's smart money is on Adrian and Christine hosting for up to a year before moving on.'

Miss Bleakley, who is in a relationship with England and Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard, had already been linked with The Xtra Factor presenting job on ITV2.

Konnie Huq has taken over the spin-off show and a source said: 'Christine was never going to host The Xtra Factor, but she has always been a fan of the show.'